My buddies and I used to jump off of the buoys in the middle of the Detroit river. The Belle Isle bridge looks tempting. It seems to be about 40ft. Has anyone done it? Any recommendations? How's the current? ect..

CrewMemberUsername: Crew

Post Number: 1003Registered: 02-2004Posted From: 146.9.52.100

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 1:12 pm:

are youu an idiot or just brain damaged?

VasMemberUsername: Vas

Post Number: 577Registered: 01-2004Posted From: 68.40.89.188

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 1:15 pm:

No, its fun.

BvosMemberUsername: Bvos

Post Number: 1791Registered: 10-2003Posted From: 134.215.223.211

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 1:23 pm:

In additon to probably being illegal, there are some unusual undercurrents in that part of the Detroit River. Newer Gold Cup boat racers always have to take a little extra time to get to know the currents in that part of the river and someone always wipes out their boat as a result of them.

The river is probably deep enough in that area for your incredibly stupid idea, but the current will probably carry you underwater past the RenCen and the authorities would be able to fish you out somewhere around Wyandotte.

I have to agree but differ somewhat with Crew, you'd have to be an idiot as well as braindamaged to jump off the McArthur Bridge.

CrewMemberUsername: Crew

Post Number: 1004Registered: 02-2004Posted From: 146.9.52.100

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 1:25 pm:

Well, you have to be an idiot to jump off the bridge and, if you survive, most likely brain damaged afterwards.

EastsideMemberUsername: Eastside

Post Number: 914Registered: 01-2005Posted From: 68.42.171.216

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 1:27 pm:

There are some nice bridges for that on Harsens Island...you should check it out. You can't really consider belle isle without a boat at ready.

FireflyMemberUsername: Firefly

Post Number: 25Registered: 06-2006Posted From: 198.30.81.2

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 1:29 pm:

You idiots! Don't talk him out of it.

I believe in fate; I also believe we have some control over it.

(Message edited by Firefly on August 07, 2006)

Thnk2mchMemberUsername: Thnk2mch

Post Number: 222Registered: 02-2006Posted From: 71.65.11.152

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 1:30 pm:

Daily Operational Summaries for October 18, 2004

BRIDGE JUMPER OFF BELLE ISLE BRIDGE - DETROIT, MI

A 25-foot small boat from Station Belle Isle recovered a male from the water, who jumped off the Belle Isle Bridge in Detroit, MI. The male was unconscious and unresponsive when the 25-foot small boat arrived on scene, after recovering the male, the crew began CPR. Male was transferred to local emergancy medical services where he was revived and transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital.

We just have to document the duration of time between when he says "Hey watch this" and when he breates his last.

I've never been this close to a Darwin candidate...this IS exciting.

VasMemberUsername: Vas

Post Number: 578Registered: 01-2004Posted From: 68.40.89.188

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 4:34 pm:

What are you guys talking about? Have you never jumped off of rocks into the water, lets say out west or any tropical vacation?

Do you guys think Cliff divers are brain damaged and idiotic? I can already say i've done higher then the bridge (feet first of course). Its just the current and distance to the shore that seems troublesome. thanks Eastside

Thnk2mch,

thanks for the info. That's too bad there were bad results. Actually come to think of it that woman died off of the bridge as well, yet that shouldn't count since she was on drugs and couldn't swim.......and also basically forced off. How tragic.

FireflyMemberUsername: Firefly

Post Number: 31Registered: 06-2006Posted From: 198.30.81.2

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 4:37 pm:

If you are going to jump, then jump. Shit! You ask for people's opinion then turn around and go ape bananas when you can't solicit the responses (or attention) you crave.

Bi-polar bastard!

Toledolaw05MemberUsername: Toledolaw05

Post Number: 30Registered: 04-2006Posted From: 72.240.58.198

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 4:50 pm:

A 40 foot jump is a drop in the bucket to any expierenced cliff or bridge jumper. Some of you guys I think must have been scared to jump off the high dive at the local pool growing up.

GistokMemberUsername: Gistok

Post Number: 2572Registered: 08-2004Posted From: 4.229.90.170

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 4:56 pm:

I can't remember the name of that comedian who, in his act, used to talk about people dying by doing stupid things. He mantra was... "it's time to cull the herd"...

Ray1936MemberUsername: Ray1936

Post Number: 738Registered: 01-2005Posted From: 207.200.116.139

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 5:14 pm:

Jeez, if ya want a challenge, dive off the I-75 bridge over the Rouge.

Jerome81MemberUsername: Jerome81

Post Number: 1062Registered: 11-2003Posted From: 205.153.103.15

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 5:27 pm:

The swim to shore wouldn't be so bad. Unless you're a bad swimmer....

How do sailboats navigate the river if there is a current? Or don't they? I've always wanted to sail the river, but maybe it just isn't possible.

however, isn't DYC on Belle Isle? Isn't that in the river? Are there not currents there?

SuperdupermanMemberUsername: Superduperman

Post Number: 112Registered: 01-2005Posted From: 69.242.221.36

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 5:28 pm:

I seen a woman stab herself then jump off the Belle Isle Bridge 2-3 years ago in the middle of the afternoon,she didn't die though. She floated under the bridge and was pulled from the water by the police,it was one of the craziest things I have ever seen in my life.

GaryMemberUsername: Gary

Post Number: 177Registered: 02-2004Posted From: 71.144.87.97

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 5:38 pm:

I've always heard stories about those wicked under currents in the Detroit River and I have no reason to doubt them.

Houdini jumped off the old Belle Isle bridge with 2 pairs of handcuffs on his wrists. The current didn't sweep him away.

Vas...I still wouldn't try it if I were you.

ChitakuMemberUsername: Chitaku

Post Number: 619Registered: 03-2006Posted From: 69.136.147.97

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 5:42 pm:

DO it DO it DO it Do it, most people I know who have jumped in got pulled pretty far down from the current.

LmichiganMemberUsername: Lmichigan

Post Number: 4094Registered: 10-2003Posted From: 67.177.81.18

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 6:05 pm:

You should do it, especially since everyone else is doing it. You'd be so cool if you did it.

Hell, sober swimmers drown in the tiny Grand River here in Lansing. lol

I just swam very close to the bridge in the motor city triathlon. We got really close. If you are a strong swimmer, you will not have much of a problem. Only thing is, it's not THAT deep. I can't tell you how deep, but it fluctuated greatly. Everyone who says it's a death wish, does not really understand that it's really not. However, on a danger scale (my own), it probably rates a 6 of 10. Note: If you jump, go with the current and head to shore immediately. Going against was exhausting.

SharmaalMemberUsername: Sharmaal

Post Number: 883Registered: 09-2004Posted From: 68.60.139.244

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 6:32 pm:

I wouldn't know about the current, I've never swam in the river. But, I would have some concern about the depths. I was with a friend of mine headed to tricentennial park to dock, and I noticed that the water seemed to get very shallow in the middle of the river, east of the bridge. He said I was correct and showed me a depth chart of the area, noting that it fluctuates greatly in that area.

Detroitej72MemberUsername: Detroitej72

Post Number: 37Registered: 05-2006Posted From: 66.184.3.44

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 6:33 pm:

quote: Houdini jumped off the old Belle Isle bridge with 2 pairs of handcuffs on his wrists. The current didn't sweep him away.

Acctually, he was lowered down into a hole cut in the ice. Still was a great stunt.

Maybe you should try to jump off the Ambassitor Bridge, that would be a real challenge.

A few years ago when that women jumped off the bridge after being assulted, two other men jumped in to try to save her. Unfortunately she mistakenly belived they were out to harm her as well and swam away from them and subsequently drown in the process.

My Livonia friend was the one who found her...while riding his jetski off Wyandotte the next morning.

Vas, you REALLY need to take a peek at the charts of the water in that area...I'm all for thrill seeking, but dammit I remember one fellow breaking his neck at the Railroad Trestle over that creek that flows through Milford.

We just don't want you to get hurt...'cuz we'd probably have to hear about it once you could type again.

Do what you wish, good luck.

Cheers!

PatrickMemberUsername: Patrick

Post Number: 3534Registered: 10-2003Posted From: 69.209.174.226

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 9:15 pm:

the water has to be what, 25 feet at the deepest right under the bridge? Jump 40 feet and you weigh lets say 170. How deep into the water will you go?

FireflyMemberUsername: Firefly

Post Number: 33Registered: 06-2006Posted From: 64.12.116.204

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 9:18 pm:

Daredevils have always fascinated me with their ignorance. You only live once, right? Might as well go out with a bang...or a thud in this sad case of attention whoring.

VasMemberUsername: Vas

Post Number: 579Registered: 01-2004Posted From: 68.40.89.188

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 10:12 pm:

Sharmall, So you know the depth isn't so good on the East side of the river....who would have guessed the river is that shallow?

See this is why the good old rancorous Detroityes website still comes in handy. After cutting through the disparaing remarks, some folks have offered good knowledge on the area. thanks.

Firefly is gonna take pictures.

LmichiganMemberUsername: Lmichigan

Post Number: 4099Registered: 10-2003Posted From: 67.177.81.18

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 10:18 pm:

*edit* nevermind.

(Message edited by lmichigan on August 07, 2006)

Detroitej72MemberUsername: Detroitej72

Post Number: 41Registered: 05-2006Posted From: 66.184.3.44

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 10:20 pm:

I plan on joining one_shot with a few beers and watching the rescue. Should make for an entertaining day.

FireflyMemberUsername: Firefly

Post Number: 35Registered: 06-2006Posted From: 64.12.116.204

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 10:23 pm:

I'll be taking pictures and attempting to answer LMichigan's endless array of questions.

LmichiganMemberUsername: Lmichigan

Post Number: 4100Registered: 10-2003Posted From: 67.177.81.18

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 10:32 pm:

They are rhetorical; and I don't need you to answer this particular one, as it wasn't asked for your answer.

Here's a topographic map of the river showing the different depths of the river:

Let's get the whole DetroitYes Forum together and have one big picnic. We can treat Vas like a king, then send him of to his "fate". Somebody should start writing a eulogy.

DetroitteacherMemberUsername: Detroitteacher

Post Number: 351Registered: 06-2006Posted From: 152.163.100.8

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 10:40 pm:

Wouldn't that be called Sacrificing the Virgin?

Detroitej72MemberUsername: Detroitej72

Post Number: 47Registered: 05-2006Posted From: 66.184.3.44

Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 11:12 pm:

Good point.

VasMemberUsername: Vas

Post Number: 580Registered: 01-2004Posted From: 68.40.89.188

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 12:37 am:

Lmich rules.

If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space. ha ha. just kiding. but i did here that from a gent at the edge of the ice on the Detroit river about a mile out from the land of Garwood mansion. He decided to crouch down and drink the river water. See he loves Detroit enough to drink the river atop 5 inches of ice.

I'm thinking supporters/detractors in a "Tastes great" "Less filling" battle from the shores of the DYC. Film it, dub it in Japanesse, then dub it back to English and put it on some 30 something based TV channel with B list celebs commenting on it to fill up 45 seconds of the 3 minute segment before commercial. You'll forget about it before your beer returns to the counter. Unless you name me Jean Benet Ramsey.

LmichiganMemberUsername: Lmichigan

Post Number: 4101Registered: 10-2003Posted From: 67.177.81.18

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 1:31 am:

Are you drunk?

PdtpuckMemberUsername: Pdtpuck

Post Number: 161Registered: 01-2006Posted From: 208.251.168.194

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 1:59 am:

like George Carlin once said, "the kid who swallows too many marbles doesn't grow up to have kids of his own!!!"

River_ratMemberUsername: River_rat

Post Number: 194Registered: 02-2006Posted From: 71.126.176.179

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 9:29 am:

I guess it is time to check in on this issue. In my misspent youth, I made the jump off the Belle Isle Bridge (MacArthur to some) on several occasions. It is impressive to do but you do need to be a strong swimmer and know how to maintain an entry attitude. A belly-flopper from 45 feet is a real bad thing! Now about where and how to do it. The best boat channel is on the city side. Check the navigational charts for the location. The water is at least 15-18 feet deep there. That also makes it easier to get to shore afterward. There used to be a second channel on the Boat Club side and that made it an easy swim over to the old area where canoes were rented on Belle Isle as well. The current was not as strong as on the city side.

Another good stunt is to swim accross the river from the Whittier to the BI beach. The shallow area in the middle of the river (Scott's Middle Ground) allows you to walk accross most of the way as the depth is usually about 3-4 feet except fot the channels that are about 400 feet wide.

You really should have a pick-up boat handy and do post your videos on this site. If I wasn't old I would join you. I have often thought that I might use this stunt as "an emergency exit" should the need arise.

To be peculiarly specific, since your youthful memories have instructed our edge-dweller on how to survive this stunt...we can hardly call it 'misspent' now, can we?!

Heh.

Do we have a time and date for this?

Are we going to do a picnic around it? I have to gather my boombox...somebody bring their iPod, I'll have a connection for it. Maybe extra D cells, too.

We can call this the 'jump for peace', perhaps make a banner that reads, 'sheople of the world, unite!'...and just hope that they don't follow Vas over the bridge.

Last thing we need is a human pileup in the river...unless they bulk of 'em are lawyers.

How did that old joke go again?

PatrickMemberUsername: Patrick

Post Number: 3537Registered: 10-2003Posted From: 65.222.10.3

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 11:57 am:

Honestly vas, when will you do this? I want to tape it.

KarenkMemberUsername: Karenk

Post Number: 6Registered: 07-2006Posted From: 204.62.68.22

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 4:09 pm:

Actually, Houdini jumped off the ice into a hole. Handcuffs on wrists and manacles on his ankles. The current did indeed sweep him away. He couldn't find the hole in the ice to get out. He survived on air pockets for 8 minutes, until he saw the rope they dangled in the water for him to grab.He was half frozen, but he survived. This from the new Sid Fleishman book called "Escape!". Darwin can't be all wrong

Detroit was the site of magician Harry Houdini's most reknowned death-defying exploit - and his death. Possibly the most famous performer of the early 20th century, Harry Houdini was born Erich Weiss on April 6, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary.

Houdini told many fanciflul tales about his childhood. In reality, the son of poor immigrants learned to fend for himself at a very early age.

Possibly the most famous performer of the early 20th century, Harry Houdini was born Erich Weiss on April 6, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary. His family emigrated to the United States and settled in Appleton, Wis., where his father served as a rabbi.

Details of his early life are sketchy, obscured for the most part by Houdini's conflicting and fanciful tales of his youth. But it is known that Erich left home at the age of 12, and later rejoined his family in New York where he drifted into a career as an illusionist and escape artist. He adapted the name of the great French magician Robert Houdin for his own stage name.

As a master of illusion, Houdini knew how to trick his audience. One of his greatest tricks was turning his jump from the old Belle Isle Bridge into a legend that has all but replaced the facts of event.

In November 1906, Houdini came to Detroit for a two-week engagement at the Temple Theater. Houdini regularly performed publicity stunts to fill the theaters he was playing, and Detroit was no exception.

On Nov. 27, 1906, a front-page story in The Detroit News told the story of what really happenend:

Handcuff King Jumps Manacled From Bridge Handcuff King Houdini Performs Remarkable Feat and Comes Out Safely Had a Rope Tied Around his Waist and Tied to Bridge to Safeguard Against Accidents Tied to a lifeline a hundred and thirteen feet long, handcuffed with two of the best and latest model handcuffs in the possession of the Detroit police department, nerved by the confidence of a lion in his own powers ... Houdini, the wonder worker at the Temple Theater, leaped from the draw span of the Belle Isle Bridge at 1 o'clock this afternoon, freed himself from the handcuffs while under water, then swam to a waiting lifeboat, passed over the unlocked and open cuffs and clambered aboard.

Houdini, the "Handcuff King"

But Houdini and his publicists greatly embellished the story. They told a tale of Houdini jumping into a hole cut into the ice of a frozen river. After freeing himself from his chains, the story goes, Houdini found himself swept by the current far away from hole in the ice. According to this myth, Houdini swam around looking for the hole, breathing air trapped between the water and the covering ice.

In fact, the Detroit River was quite free of ice on Nov. 27 and the temperature, although cold, was above freezing. Houdini later changed the date to Dec. 2. In one account, he said the whole event took place in Pittsburgh where he was not only handcuffed but also locked inside a trunk.

Whatever the reality, Houdini's tall tale is the one known by most people. A 1952 movie about Houdini, used the tale to great dramatic effect, with Tony Curtis swimming about under the ice for eight suspense-filled minutes. Houdini would have been pleased with the illusion.

SolarflareMemberUsername: Solarflare

Post Number: 498Registered: 11-2003Posted From: 65.112.56.3

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 4:41 pm:

Detroitej72MemberUsername: Detroitej72

Post Number: 49Registered: 05-2006Posted From: 66.184.3.44

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 4:45 pm:

Boy that story ruined my opinion of Houdini. Seriously, any wonder that someone of his fame wouldn't grow legends around his shows.

On another topic, in the 70's I vaguely remember there was some streaker who used to dive off the bridge naked and swim to shore. I belive he did that several times until the cops caught him. I think he was sent to some psychiatric hospital afterward.

KarenkMemberUsername: Karenk

Post Number: 7Registered: 07-2006Posted From: 204.62.68.22

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 5:36 pm:

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

River_ratMemberUsername: River_rat

Post Number: 195Registered: 02-2006Posted From: 68.166.44.44

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 8:27 pm:

Houdini definitely DID NOT jump off the current BI bridge. This bridge was completed in 1923 and replaced a temporary bridge that was built after the original structure burned in 1916. Both bridges before the present MacArtur Bridge were very low to the water and your grandmother could have done a swan dive into the river with success from the old bridges.

The best stunt surrounding the lore of the bridge is still held by my friend, F. Don Pittman. Pittman was a great stunt pilot who performed between heats of an unlimited hydroplane race in the early sixties. He distinguished himself by flying under the Belle Isle Bridge with his biplane! He probable had only a 20 foot lateral and vertical clearance to do so. There was great mewspaper coverage of the event and he really stole a lot of the show from the hydro race.

The CAA or FAA took great 'umbridge' at his scary stunt and did have a set-to with him after the event. he went on to continue his piloting career with TWA for many years thereafter and was on the stunt circuit as well.

Vas, I don't think you can top his show, but you will have fun.

RusticMemberUsername: Rustic

Post Number: 2739Registered: 10-2003Posted From: 71.234.183.131

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 9:47 pm:

"in the 70's ... there was some streaker who used to dive off the bridge naked and swim to shore. I belive he did that several times until the cops caught him. I think he was sent to some psychiatric hospital afterward."

Riverrat wuz that u?

River_ratMemberUsername: River_rat

Post Number: 197Registered: 02-2006Posted From: 71.126.176.179

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 10:35 pm:

Not me, Rustic. I always wore my old-style swimsuit and have not (to my recollection) been in a psych ward. This is not to say that I was never a streaker. There was a time on a motorcycle on Grand River....

HistericMemberUsername: Histeric

Post Number: 710Registered: 10-2003Posted From: 68.61.194.66

Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 3:10 pm:

I have done it...albeit almost thirty years ago. My uncle was a fireman on the BI boat and we used to picnic at the foot of the bridge for special events. Dozens of people were jumping off near the foot on the city side and I joined in on the fun...once. This was with a crowd watching on. I wouldn't try it alone.

River_ratMemberUsername: River_rat

Post Number: 199Registered: 02-2006Posted From: 68.166.44.44

Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 8:37 pm:

Histeric and the River Rat both survived the jump. C'mon Vas!

BongmanMemberUsername: Bongman

Post Number: 1213Registered: 12-2003Posted From: 68.41.175.174

Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 9:13 pm:

Bong-Man did it in the mid 80's ! I was only at the 4th arch though. There is very limited current there, but the water is still deep...10-12 feet. I jumped in because another guy did, and his wallet floated out of his pants. He couldn't see it, so I jumped in and retrieved it. Weird things happened during the glory days of the hydroplane races.

River_ratMemberUsername: River_rat

Post Number: 201Registered: 02-2006Posted From: 71.126.176.179

Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 9:17 pm:

Forum jumpers (and survivors) now known to number three! Ah, to be young again!

Carpe diem!

BeatsworkingMemberUsername: Beatsworking

Post Number: 50Registered: 08-2004Posted From: 68.41.46.226

Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 10:04 pm:

I used to go jump off the aformentioned bridge in Milford when I was in high school. It was super sketchy... probably like 6 feet deep water normally. In college we'd jump off the train tracks in Ann Arbor into the Huron River. There were two super fun spots. One small bridge and a bigger bridge, probably around 30 feet. My friends and I would do flips, backflips... one friend would always try double front flips. He's dumb. Fun stuff! I would not jump off BI bridge. It's too public & easy to get busted.

LmichiganMemberUsername: Lmichigan

Post Number: 4113Registered: 10-2003Posted From: 67.177.81.18

Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 10:13 pm:

Now you definitely have to do it, Vas, since it's now beebn proven that everybody does it.

HornwreckerMemberUsername: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1388Registered: 04-2005Posted From: 216.203.223.85

Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 10:36 pm:

Pier pressure.

sorry

VasMemberUsername: Vas

Post Number: 584Registered: 01-2004Posted From: 71.227.91.150

Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 10:37 pm:

now we're talking! See they all come out of the woodwork. Ohh I'm doing it. I just need to be in the right 'screw it' state of mind.....or an internal discussion atop may ensue and we don't want that.